DOBELL DRAWING PRIZE
NATIONAL ART SCHOOL
The third iteration of the Dobell Drawing Prize in partnership with the National Art School opens on March 30, 2023 and will run until 10 June 2023.
The winner this year is Jane Grealy for her work Maria’s Garden Scheme C 2022.
The Drawing Prize takes place in alternative years to the Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial, a curated drawing exhibition shown at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Both exhibitions affirm the Dobell Foundation’s commitment to support the development of drawing as a fundamental element of the visual arts.
Chair of the Dobell Foundation, Michelle Belgiorno-Nettis, said “The partnership with NAS, as an educational institution, greatly expands the impact of the Prize, incorporating the exhibition into its academic program, developing public programs including a Drawing Symposium and drawing workshops, adding the prize-winning work to its collection, and touring the exhibition to six Regional Galleries with outreach programs for regional visual arts teachers and students.”
Steven Alderton, Director of the National Art School said: “The National Art School is delighted to be working with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation on this very important Prize and exhibition. Drawing is absolutely central to the National Art School’s curriculum, so the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the many facets of contemporary drawing practice is welcomed. We are very much looking forward to working with the Foundation on the Prize and exhibition and offering artists another forum to explore the dynamic medium of drawing.”
Chair, Sir William Dobell Art Foundation
31 March - 10 June 2023
Dobell Drawing Prize 23 Winner Jane Grealy with National Art School Director and CEO Steven Alderton, in front of the winning work, 'Maria's Garden, Scheme C'
2023
DOBELL DRAWING PRIZE #23
Whether it be a scrawled map, a line in the sand, the scratch of a burnt stick across a cave wall or a digital record of the movement of a stylus, that simple evidence of an intentional touch is fundamental to what drawing is. This compulsion to leave a mark is a very human desire, and the profound and extensive potential of drawing emerges from it.’
Dr Maryanne Coutts, Head of Drawing, National Art School
The biennial Dobell Drawing Prize is Australia’s leading prize for drawing, an unparalleled celebration of technique, innovation and expanded drawing practices. The $30,000 acquisitive prize is presented by the National Art School in partnership with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation and explores the enduring importance of drawing within contemporary art practice. The winning work will enter the National Art School’s significant collection, built over the past 120 years.
EXCHIBITION DATES:
31 March – 10 June 2023
NAS Gallery, Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm
Good Friday 7 April CLOSED
Easter Saturday 8 April 11am–5pm
Easter Sunday 9 April CLOSED
Easter Monday 10 April CLOSED
Anzac Day, Tuesday 25 April, 12–5pm
26 Mar - 22 May 2021
National Art School
2021
DOBELL DRAWING PRIZE #22
The National Art School and the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation invites artists to submit entries in competition for the Dobell Drawing Prize #22. The $30,000 acquisitive prize will be awarded at the opening of the finalists’ exhibition at NAS Gallery on 25 March 2021. To be eligible for selection, artists must read the terms and conditions of entry and complete the steps in the online entry form below. Entries close 5pm, Monday 5 October.
28 Mar - 25 May 2019
Installation view of Dobell Drawing Prize #21. Photo: Peter Morgan
Winner of Dobell Drawing Prize #21 Justine Varga, Photo: Peter Morgan.
Comments from the Judge’s:
“Drawing is a fundamental part of many visual art practices. The winner of the Dobell Drawing Prize #21 uses drawing in the most meaningful and sophisticated way. Her work is a distillation of so many components of our collective lives. Drawing plays a pivotal role in this artist’s exploration of us all. The winning work is a powerful, playful and sophisticated 21st century drawing and a deserved winner.”
2019
DOBELL DRAWING PRIZE #21
The exhibition showcases the finalists’ artworks across a broad range of media that acknowledges the foundational principals of drawing, while also encouraging challenging and expansive approaches to drawing.
National Art School envisions the Prize as a platform for the celebration and examination of current drawing practices. The Prize builds on the energy of both emerging artists who make art through drawing, while also celebrating innovation and technical skill of experienced artists.
REVIEWS
Dobell drawing prize 2019: exploring with light and long shadows – in pictures
Media
- Sydney Morning Herald. 30 March 2023. ‘Nothing like this has happened to me’: Artist’s shock at prize win 30-03-2023
- Dobell Drawing Prize #23. Exhibition now open. 30-03-2023
- Dobell Drawing Prize #22. 26 June to 14 August 2022 22-06-2022
- ArtsHub: New National Drawing Centre Brings Australia in line with Global Trend 08-11-2020
- THE ART NEWSPAPER: Sydney bucks trend for marginalisation of drawing at art schools with new National Centre for Drawing 21-10-2020
- The Australian: Dobell Spirit Lingers in a Different Medium 08-04-2019
- National Art School resurrects drawing prize in honour of William Dobell 07-05-2018
- Press Release. Dobell Drawing Prize to be presented at the NAS from 2019 07-05-2018
- Radio Interview concerning the Dobell Drawing Prize Exhibition Tour of NSW and ACT 26-09-2014